Missouri lawmakers weigh in on president’s decisions to roll back women’s access to birth control

This week, President Donald Trump rolled back protections for women’s access to no co-pay birth control, causing mid- Missouri lawmakers to weigh in on Trump’s administrations decision.

Missouri Democratic Party chair Stephan Webber said, “Birth control is not controversial-it’s something the vast majority of women will use during their lifetime. It is unacceptable for Missouri’s congressional Republicans to stand idly by while the Trump administration attacks women’s access to basic healthcare.”

U.S. Republican Senator Roy Blunt said he applauded the Trump administration for issuing new rules and guidance, “I commend President Trump for following through on his promise to restore and protect the religious freedom and conscience rights of all Americans,” said Blunt. No act of government should ever force Americans to compromise their faith.”

U.S. Republican Representative Vicky Hartzler released the following statement Friday night on the decision:

“This executive action ensures that religious freedom protections remain the bedrock of American society. Today’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) interim final rules relieve undo pressure from the previous administration, allowing educational institutions, non-profits like the Little Sisters of the Poor, and small businesses to provide health care policies consistent with their conscience, moral convictions, and mission. For the last several years, the right to live in accordance with one’s faith was a liability, as evidenced by the government’s coercive policies and ruinous fines for non-compliance.

I also applaud Attorney General Sessions for outlining key religious freedom principles applicable to the Department of Justice, and all federal agencies, recognizing that expressions of faith are integral elements of American society and are already enshrined in federal statute. The Department’s guidance says it well, ‘Religious liberty is not merely a right to personal religious beliefs or even to worship in a sacred place. It also encompasses religious observance and practice.'”

Previously, it was required that the employer-provided health insurance policies cover birth control methods at no cost to women.

For more information on the decision, click here.

This is a developing story.